Life’s good when you have your own avocado tree dripping with fruit, but knowing when to pick avocados can be tricky. Unlike many fruits, avocados mature on the tree but only begin ripening after they’re picked.
How to know when to pick avocados
The easiest way to determine whether your avocados are mature is to pick a few fruit that look ready and leave them at room temperature.
If they soften evenly within 7–10 days, you can begin harvesting the rest of the crop as needed. There’s no need to pick everything at once, as mature avocados can remain on the tree until you’re ready to use them.
If the test fruit shrivels, becomes rubbery or fails to soften properly, leave the remaining avocados on the tree a little longer before testing again. This simple test takes the guesswork out of deciding when to pick avocados.
How to ripen picked avocados
Once picked, store avocados in a fruit bowl at room temperature until they yield gently to light pressure.
To speed up the process, place them in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple. These fruits release ethylene gas, which helps encourage ripening.
Once ripe, enjoy your avocados smashed on toast, blended into guacamole, tossed through salads or simply sliced with a sprinkle of salt. For an easy summer meal, try our creamy pesto pasta salad with bacon and avocado.
Care for your avocado tree after harvest
Once you know when to pick avocados and have finished harvesting, give your tree some attention.
If it’s due for a prune, shorten the longest branches to help maintain its overall size and shape. Avoid removing too much of the canopy at once, as the exposed branches and trunk can be vulnerable to sunburn.
Feed the tree with an organic fertiliser, water deeply and top up the mulch around the root zone to support healthy new growth. Keep the mulch clear of the trunk to reduce the risk of moisture-related problems.
